By “law and gospel” I’m referring to the debate between those of us who hold to the historic and confessional distinction between those places in Scripture where God commands and promises blessing conditioned upon our obedience (law) and where he promises blessing . . . Continue reading →
Author Archives: R. Scott Clark
Manton: Lent Is Just Another Phony Tradition
That they [Romanists] cry up a private, unproved, unwritten tradition of their own, as of equal authority with this safe and full rule, which is contained in this written Word of God. Their crime and fault may be considered, partly with respect . . . Continue reading →
Howe: The Law Was A Covenant Of Works And The Gospel A Covenant Of Grace
It therefore now appears, that as the law or dictates of pure nature, comprehended together with other fit additionals, became at first one entire constitution aptly suited to the government of man in his innocent state, unto which the title did well . . . Continue reading →
Leigh: Paradise Was A Little Model Of Heaven
Paradise signifies a garden, the word being translated out of Greek into Latin, and so into French and English. In Hebrew it is called Heden, which signifies delights, a garden of all manner of delights, a place beset with all kind of . . . Continue reading →
With Janet Mefferd On The Social Gospel
Here’s today’s episode of Janet Mefferd Today in which we discussed the “social gospel,” Walter Rauschenbusch, the emergent/emerging church movement and what it means that evangelicals seem to be heading back to this well for inspiration. We also talked about some alternative . . . Continue reading →
Office Hours: Mike Horton On The Spirit’s Work In The Application Of Redemption
We know that Jesus came to save us. We know that he obeyed for us. We know that he died for us. We know that he was raised for us who believe by grace alone but how do we come into possession . . . Continue reading →
The Covenant Of Works: Basic To Reformed Biblical Exposition
Verse 47. “Verily verily, I say to you, He that believes on me, has everlasting life.” Christ having digressed this far (being interrupted with their murmuring) to show the cause of their distemper; He returns now to inculcate and press the former . . . Continue reading →
Grammar Guerrilla: Proud, Prideful; Converse, Conversate
HB reader Barbara asks, “Is conversate a word? I am a nurse and see other nurses using it in their progress notes. Example: ‘The resident was seen conversating with her room mate.’ Thanks Barbara. That is a good question. In English, verbs, . . . Continue reading →
Roberts: God Made An Implicit Covenant Of Works With Adam
1. Of God’s Covenant of Works, with the First Adam, and his natural seed before the fall. APHORISM I. GOD was pleased to enter into covenant with the first Adam, before his fall. Under the term, Adam, Scripture sometimes comprehends both sexes, . . . Continue reading →
Rutherford: Adam Was In A Temporary, Legal, Covenant Of Works
God intended a Law-dispensation but for a time. 2. Adam, how he was ordained for a Law-life. 3. How predestinated to glory in Christ, how not. 4. That the heathens have no more universal grace than devils. 5. No ground for such . . . Continue reading →
Cartwright: The Covenant Of Grace Is Not A Covenant Of Works
Jer. chap. 31:31 Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, with the house of Judah, 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, when I took . . . Continue reading →
Strangers And Aliens (15a): Turning The Other Cheek (1 Peter 3:8–12)
When a group faces external pressure, criticism, or perhaps even persecution of some kind it may lead to internal fractures and schism. The Apostle Peter was aware of this possibility among the congregations in (modern) Turkey. He has been urging them to respond appropriately to those outside the congregation but in this section he turns his attention to those within the congregation. How ought they to relate to one another? Continue reading →
Dickson On The Covenants Of Works And Grace In Galatians 3
Vers. 1. O Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Because he knew that the minds of the Galatians were prepossessed with a . . . Continue reading →
The Strong Man Temptation
There are good reasons for Christians to be nervous about their place in the United States. The culture is in a period of rapid change of the sort not seen since perhaps 1967–77. That was the height of the Cold War, in . . . Continue reading →
Dort On Law And Gospel
5. In the same light are we to consider the law of the Decalogue, delivered by God to His peculiar people, the Jews, by the hands of Moses. For though it reveals the greatness of sin,1 and more and more convinces man . . . Continue reading →
Dudley Fenner: The Covenant Of Works Promised Blessedness
CHAP. XVI. Of the Covenant of Works. Righteousness thus set forth in his several parts and branches, has of God’s free goodness a reward belonging to it, (whereupon the same called the Law, or covenant of works;) as contrariwise a punishment in . . . Continue reading →
Downame On The Distinctions Between The Covenants Of Works And Grace
Touching the subject or persons to whom it is appropriate, faith is the proper and peculiar gift of God’s elect, which only [alone] distinguishes them from the rest of the world; for all other graces, be they never so bright, or shining, . . . Continue reading →
Why We Memorize The Catechism
Both children and parents in Reformed congregations often ask, “Why must we (or our children) memorize the catechism? If they must memorize anything at all, should they not memorize Holy Scripture instead?” These are fair questions, but they rest on dubious premises. Continue reading →
Questions And Answers About Baptism
Earlier this week Calvinist Batman and I discussed covenant theology, baptism, and Reformed identity. That led to a follow-up discussion with some listeners. For the sake of brevity and clarity I have re-worded and abbreviated some of the questions and I have . . . Continue reading →
Taking The Temperature Of Free Speech
When was the last time you stopped yourself from saying something you believed to be true for fear of being punished or criticized for saying it? If you live in America, it probably hasn’t been long. That’s not just a talking point . . . Continue reading →